Susan M. Hereley

Susan M. Hereley, 80, passed away June 20, 2023, following a short illness.  The oldest of nine, Sue was born August 18, 1942, in Woodstock, to Raymond and Mary Frances (Green) Murphy.  Sue attended St. Mary’s School and was a member of the first graduating class of Marian Central High School. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, IA; Rosary College in Lake Forest, IL; and graduated from Edgewood College in Madison in 1964, with a degree in social sciences.  She became a social worker for McHenry County and later worked at Hereley Grain with her husband.

For several years, Sue worked at Hubert’s drug store in Woodstock as a soda jerk, where she met conductor Don Hereley.  Don repeatedly told “Murph” he had a little brother for her.  Don passed away not long after introducing the two in person.  Dan Hereley and Sue were married on September 30, 1967, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Woodstock.  They made their home in Harvard and joined friends in bowling and golf leagues.  Together they raised four children. Sue was an excellent seamstress, often making clothes (sometimes matching to the delight of her children.) They bought a small log cabin in Springstead, WI, later moving on to Fish Trap Lake in Boulder Junction, WI.  Sue loved the North Woods.  While raising the kids, Sue served in various roles in a number of organizations: St. Joseph’s Mother’s Club, McHenry County Regional Board of Education, Housing Authority Board, and the St. Joseph’s Finance Committee, to name a few.  She even ran for Mayor.  Sue was also a substitute teacher at Harvard High School.  The bellowing of “Ma Corn” down the halls let everyone know she was in the building.  Dan and Sue always believed in giving back and were steadfast supporters of Harvard and its schools and programs. They contributed to the building of both the Harvard Diggins Library in 2001 and Crosby Elementary School in 2008.  As a graduate of Edgewood College, Sue also contributed to a Performing Arts scholarship there in her mother’s name.

She spent many mornings, afternoons and evenings in the bleachers at gyms and fields at any kind of activities her kids were involved with throughout junior high, summer leagues, high school and college. The same held true with her 12 grandchildren and great-grandson.  She loved the Chicago Cubs and the Wisconsin Badgers almost as much as the Harvard Hornets and Big Foot Chiefs.  Sue was rarely at an event without a camera with seemingly no end to the pictures she would take – and there is a closet FULL of albums along with boxes and bags of photos to prove it.  

Sue loved to travel. Once Dan sold Hereley Grain, they, and she individually at times, began to travel more – Hilton Head Island, Greece, Ireland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, several National Parks and Alaska were favorites.  She was proud to have been able to take the older half of the grandkids to Washington DC and very much enjoyed taking the whole family to Disney World several times.

Eventually, they traded the Northwoods for Bokeelia, FL, where they met many wonderful friends – Michael, the Devanes, Dickmans, Rooks and Tepases among others - in retirement.  Sue would sometimes bring a book and tag along with Dan while he was fishing, and they enjoyed many sunset cruises on the boat.  Following Dan’s passing in 2020, she continued taking her card classes, joined the Friends of the Library, and volunteered at the Harvard Historical Museum.  Sue spent many Tuesdays playing bridge with longtime friends.  She so enjoyed the various gatherings and lunches the groups would have while planning the next activity or fundraiser. She was a faithful Catholic and a friend of Bill W.  She met many wonderful, supportive women through her years of attendance.

Words cannot express our thanks and appreciation for the care and kindness provided to Mom/Sue, and the compassion shown to all of us, by the staff of the Mercy Harvard Care Center and Mercyhealth Hospice.  We are truly grateful.

Sue is survived by her children Mary (DeAngelo) Cooke, Paul Hereley, Patrick (Sara) Hereley, and Tom Hereley; her grandchildren, Caelyn, Michael, Andrew, Alexandra, Jillian and Adam Cooke; Samantha, Jack, Danny, and Erik Hereley, and Evelyn and Marion Hereley; and her great-grandson, Daniel Luca Cooke Saucedo. Sue is further survived by her sisters, brothers, and in-laws:  Kay Murphy Howell, Eileen (Bruce Matthews) Murphy, Mary (Dennis) Macaluso, John (Marty) Murphy, Kelly (Brian) Wood, David (Tonya) Murphy, and Colleen (Tom) Clarke; Ken Howell, Kathy Huege and Suzanne Hereley; numerous nieces and nephews, and many cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Dan Hereley, her parents, Ray and Mary Frances (Mick) Murphy and her brother Mark, as well as her in-laws, Raymond and Evelyn Hereley.

The family will receive friends July 13th, 4-7 pm at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7.  The funeral mass will take place July 14th at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harvard, with Father Geoffrey Wirth and Deacon Tony Koss officiating.  If so inclined, memorials may be made to the Friends of the Library or the Harvard Historical Museum in her name.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more info at 815-943-5400.

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